as in contentious
relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions
the new plan raises a number of hot-button issues that are sure to get voters riled up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in third rail
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hot-button
Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2025
While this may not be a problem in a conversation about whether dogs are superior to cats, today's hot button topics are much more likely to touch on security-significant issues such as foreign policy, immigration, diversity efforts, and even national security itself.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
While this may not be a problem in a conversation about whether dogs are superior to cats, today's hot button topics are much more likely to touch on security-significant issues such as foreign policy, immigration, diversity efforts, and even national security itself.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
While a wide range of filmmakers have embraced the potential of AI to enhance production and bring about efficiencies, the technology has been a hot button for unions given the potential risk to industry jobs.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Noun
Healey has sadly been a pushover to House and Senate Democrats, rarely challenging them on fiscal issues or hot button topics like the migrant crisis.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2025
While this may not be a problem in a conversation about whether dogs are superior to cats, today's hot button topics are much more likely to touch on security-significant issues such as foreign policy, immigration, diversity efforts, and even national security itself.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
While this may not be a problem in a conversation about whether dogs are superior to cats, today's hot button topics are much more likely to touch on security-significant issues such as foreign policy, immigration, diversity efforts, and even national security itself.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
While a wide range of filmmakers have embraced the potential of AI to enhance production and bring about efficiencies, the technology has been a hot button for unions given the potential risk to industry jobs.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot-button
Adjective
-
That was displayed during a contentious exchange between Sen. Ted Cruz and conservative media figure Tucker Carlson.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
-
The topic of banning phones at gigs has been a contentious one over the years, with artists wishing for fans to live in the moment, and fans desiring a chance to memorialize their concert experiences.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
Changes to Medicaid have proven contentious, and Medicare is often considered a political third rail.—
Joseph Choi,
The Hill,
5 June 2025
-
Centering African-American stories and characters, DuVernay’s films frequently come into contact with the third rails of American history, such as incarceration, segregation and slavery.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
The other shoe dropped with an unsettling thud recently when White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt openly gay-bashed in defense of her controversial boss.—
Louis Balsamo,
Baltimore Sun,
25 June 2025
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However, the Trump administration did briefly propose a controversial 100% tariff on films made abroad to discourage runaway production.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hot-button.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot-button. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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